The sumitori holds the charcoal to be added to the fire, together with the tools needed to do it: fire chopsticks, a feather brush, an ash scoop, and a ring for handling the kettle. It is carried in for the charcoal procedure and taken out again afterwards.
Types
Basketry is the most common material, with lacquered wood and metal also used. Different forms belong to the hearth and to the brazier. The charcoal itself is cut to prescribed lengths and arranged in the basket in a set pattern, so that the basket as brought in is already a composition.
In practice
Guests watch the charcoal procedure closely, since the arrangement of charcoal determines how the water will behave for the rest of the gathering. The basket and its contents are examined afterwards along with the incense container.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
Term info
- Category
- Tool
Related terms
- Sumitemae (charcoal procedure)sumitemae
Building the charcoal fire to keep the kettle at temperature; a quiet centrepiece of a full gathering.
- Hibashi (fire chopsticks)hibashi
Long metal chopsticks for arranging charcoal in the hearth or brazier.
- Haboki (feather brush)haboki
A brush of bird feathers used to sweep ash from the edges of the hearth or brazier.